Missouri Landlord-Tenant Law
Know your rights as a renter in Missouri. This guide covers security deposits, landlord entry, rent increases, eviction protections, and more under Missouri law.
Legal basis: Missouri landlord-tenant law — Missouri Revised Statutes
30
Days to Return Deposit
2 months' rent
Max Deposit
No state rule
Entry Notice
Required
Deposit Escrow
What Missouri law says about deposits
Maximum Deposit
2 months' rent
Return Deadline
30 days
Penalties, interest & late-fee rules under Missouri law
If your deposit is wrongfully or late returned
Landlord who wrongfully withholds may owe up to double the amount withheld.
Interest on your deposit is not required
Grace period
No mandatory grace period
Must be in the lease
Yes — a late fee is only enforceable if it is written into your lease
Your privacy protections
Required Notice Period
No state rule
No Missouri statute sets entry notice; your lease's terms apply
No Missouri statute sets how much notice a landlord must give before entering. Your lease's entry terms apply, so check what it says about notice and entry times.
No notice statute; no caps
Legal basis: No Statute
14 days, then limited repair and deduct
Legal basis: Mo. Rev. Stat. § 441.234
No state rule
Legal basis: No statute (RSMo ch. 441, 534, 535 searched)
No rent after moving out
Legal basis: RSMo § 441.920
Self-help illegal
Legal basis: Mo. Rev. Stat. § 441.233
Important facts about Missouri rental law
Missouri limits security deposits to 2 months' rent.
Missouri landlords must return deposits within 30 days of move-out.
Missouri tenants can recover up to 2x the deposit for wrongful withholding.
Missouri requires landlords to maintain fit and habitable premises.
Something else? Contact our team
In Missouri, the security deposit limit is 2 months' rent.
Missouri landlords must return security deposits within 30 days after you move out.
No Missouri statute sets how much notice a landlord must give before entering, so your lease's entry terms apply.
Late fees in Missouri: No statutory cap. No mandatory grace period.
No notice statute; no caps. No Missouri statute sets how much notice a landlord must give before raising rent. Either side can end a month-to-month tenancy with written notice ending it on a rent date at least one month away (RSMo § 441.060.4(1)). No statewide cap, and cities and counties may not regulate rent (RSMo § 441.043). Source: No Statute.
14 days, then limited repair and deduct. Only if you've lived there 6 straight months, paid all rent and charges, and have no uncured lease-violation notice (RSMo § 441.234.1). The problem must affect habitability, sanitation, or security and break a local housing or building code (RSMo § 441.234.2). Notify the landlord in writing; the landlord has 14 days, or less in an emergency (RSMo § 441.234.2). If not fixed, you may have it repaired and deduct the receipted cost, up to $300 or half a month's rent, whichever is greater, never over 1 month's rent (RSMo § 441.234.2). If the landlord disputes the repair in writing, get a written code-violation certification from your city before repairing (RSMo § 441.234.2). No more than 1 month's rent may be deducted in any 12 months (RSMo § 441.234.3). Source: Mo. Rev. Stat. § 441.234.
No state rule. No Missouri statute bars a landlord from retaliating against a tenant for complaining about repairs or reporting code violations. City ordinances or federal fair-housing law may apply in particular situations. Keep dated records of every complaint and of what the landlord did afterward. Source: No statute (RSMo ch. 441, 534, 535 searched).
No rent after moving out. A tenant who is, has been or may become a victim of domestic violence, sexual assault or stalking is not liable for rent after moving out. Tell the landlord; if asked, provide a signed statement from a victim service provider or health care professional, or a police, court or agency record. The landlord may charge a reasonable termination fee. Source: RSMo § 441.920.
Self-help illegal. Self-help evictions illegal. Court process required. Contact police if locked out. Source: Mo. Rev. Stat. § 441.233.
Missouri tenants have rights including security deposit protections, notice requirements for landlord entry, habitability standards, and protections against retaliation. Use Honestkey to analyze your specific lease against Missouri law.
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